Rib Pain

Yes, I do. I started having some chest pain a couple of weeks ago. Until a few days ago, it was just a minor annoyance and only a couple of ribs felt sore. Now the pain is all over my chest, and is sore to the touch where my ribs attach to my sternum. Ibuprofen alleviated the pain a bit yesterday. I spent my "spare" time (meaning I chose not to do some things I really needed to do) in bed with a heating pad on my chest. As long as I have minimal movement in my upper torso, it seems to feel better.

I hope you feel better soon! I read about costochondritis, and the symptoms seem to fit for me. Have you read about that at all?

Hi Peanut~

And welcome to our family. I sure am glad you have joined us so you can see how much support and compassion are here for fellow fibro's. I have a lot of rib pain but mine isn't from costo. Mine is more around the sides and toward the back but ohhhh my gosh it hurts. I would suggest talking to your doc on your next visit and he/she can check for any other reasons for the pain, like Costo, or let you know if it's just another misery of fibromyalgia.

When your ribs begin to ache try to relax and rest for a bit. I use the recliner. Also some heat on that area can be very helpful. One miserable thing about fibro is that it travels! That's just not fair is it??? You try to get pain under control in one area and learn to deal with it and then it takes off in another....all the while the entire body still has a lower grade pain going all the time. If someone wanted to invent a miserable disorder fibro would be it!!

I sure hope you can get some relief soon!
Chutzie

Thanks for the reply. I don't think I have costochondritis, as mine flares up when I'm on my feet a lot . . . i.e., shopping. I'm not sure if it's my ribs or the muscles in the rib cage area. Sometimes it hurts to have to stretch my rib muscles to breathe. Also, when I'm having this pain, many times I have muscle spasms in that area, also. Don't know if you understand what I'm describing because it's hard to put it into words. Have a good evening everyone!

Hi Peanut and welcome. I don't know if all my rib pain is costo or part of it is just fibro. I know my sternum has stayed sore to the touch for about 2 1/2 yrs now. I have had some pain in front and between my shoulder blades but haven't figured out whether it is costo or heart burn today.

 

Try to relax but take deep breaths whether it hurts or not.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

I have pain in all of my ribs. I'm only usually aware of it when I bump into it or lay down to sleep at night and then it hurts. Feels like lumps on the ribs/like fat but different since it hurts.
I have this on my outer hips and outer arms too.

I notice it hurts more before my period. I also think it hurts like the pain I get in my breast before my period so I am looking into trying to cut back on soda's/caffeine before my period to see if that might have anything to do with it. I drink diet soda a lot and am looking at that as being the reason I could feel so bad before my period.

Thanks for all the wonderful support regarding the pain in my ribs. I'm going to try all suggestions offered in order to ease the pain.

Not to sound like, "Poor, poor me", but there's just one other symptom that - quite honestly - has almost put me in a depression. I am pianist for my church. about 8 months ago, I started experiencing loss of strength in some of my fingers on my right hand, making it very difficult to hit certain keys. The weakness it more prominent in two of my fingers. I went to my fibro doctor and he gave me the "carpal tunnel" test. It came out negative. He thinks this is just part of my fibro. I'm not so sure. Does anyone experience this type of symptom. I am soooooooo unhappy because I truly love playing the piano for my church. Any thoughts/advice/suggestions?

Thanks Sherrine,

I'm going to buy a rubber ball and exercise my hand with it - starting today! How long did it take before you noticed any improvement?

Peanut

Hello Kimber 9807!

If take 2 Extra Strength Tylenols at the onset of the pain, because if I wait too long, nothing helps.

Peanut-SC

I am a brand new member as of today. I was diagnosed with FM pain syndrome 10 years ago, but as I age it gets worse. My rib pain started about 11 years ago and no doctor could explain it. I have costochondritis as well (also diagnosed by a chiropractor), and I'm pretty sure that is the cause of the rib pain. But the pain basically covers the whole rib cage. It is sore and painful to touch. Lately my upper back has been achy, as well. Stress seems to be a factor in flare-ups. NSAIDS do help some with the inflammation, though.